We need to protest in NYC on 9/11/03

[Stephanie]

We need to demand that the WH:

• Release the 28 pages
  
  
• Release the August 6th briefing
  
  
• Release the EPA report
  
  
• Stop obstructing the Independent Commission

Can we get a protest together in one month? Is there an organization that would sponsor it? What's the best way to focus it so that people will turn out? For instance, Don't Invade Iraq/Stop the War, are very clear messages. The 9/11 questions are so many and so murky, we would need to boil it down to one focused, mainstream message.

BushCo is going to come here in '04 to exploit the murder of 3000, dead due to their neglect. They are hiding the evidence. We need to demand its release. What's the best way?

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

1. Bush and the GOP are going to dance on the graves of WTC victims

for their convention. sick sick sick bastards have no shame - damn right I'll be protesting!

[QuietStorm]

3. Is there still a protest planned for the RNC in NYC?

I had heard something about that? Is that still on? Of course by then what would be the point? Unless that starts off constant protests.

[Stephanie]

4. I'm sure their will be massive protests in '04

But this year could be the warm-up. It's time to take action on 9/11, IMO.

[NoKingGeorge]

2. Whatever it takes

MY Country calls, I will be there !

[Mandate My Ass]

5. Count me in.

MoveOn has been pretty successful in getting protests together and mobilizing people but time is really short here, probably too short to get the kind of crowd they've gotten in the past.

As far as focusing the message, these protests tend to draw people in from disparate groups with a wide range of agendas, and they all want their say. :shrug:

[Stephanie]

7. Right, but how to announce it even?

It's easy to say there's a peace march, or an anti-war march, and then everyone brings their personal agendas to add to the mix. How to generally describe the kind of protest we need now? A "Stop Stonewalling" protest? A "Release the Report" protest? Sure everyone will bring their particular message. Let a thousand protest signs bloom. But we need a unifying theme.

[grytpype]

6. I want a million New Yorkers surrounding the WTC site...

... so Bush can't reach it to perform his ghoulish ceremony.

A million.

[Stephanie]

8. Next year. He's not going there this year, is he?

If he is, then that would be a great idea.

[nostamj]

17. that would be a great idea

but if BushCo is going to be there you won't get within 5 blocks of the site without the imprint of W's ass on your lips (or a certified receipt for your $5000 donation)

[Stephanie]

21. I think the site is not the best location

We are addressing our demands to Bush. What would be a better location in NYC?

[Valerie5555]

26. What "ghoulish" or "gruesome" ritual are you thinking of??????????????

Just thought I'd ask

[BurtWorm]

9. Surround the WTC

What a great idea! Have a protest on 9-11 in NYC that will be remembered on 9-11-04, when an even bigger one happens.

[Stephanie]

10. Maybe marchers circling the site?

with signs. But how would you advertise this march to the potential marchers?

[BurtWorm]

11. Does anyone have any experience organizing such an event?

Anyone have any connections with MoveOn, Win without War, ANSWER, etc?

Steph, do you live in NYC, by the way? I do, and can and would be there if it came together.

[Stephanie]

12. Yes, I'm in Manhattan

The recent story about the EPA report cover-up should be enough to get every mother in the city to hit the streets. I just don't want the message to be vague and diluted, at least at the organizational level. I'm thinking Stop the Stonewalling or something like that. What do you think? Once we know exactly what result we're after, we can present the project to organizations that might help.

[BurtWorm]

14. Well I like what you've proposed so far, including the slogan

I have no experience organizing these sorts of things, but I strongly believe this is a crucial opportunity to resist the Bushist cooptation of 9-11. They don't own it. They ran away from it. And now they're trying to wrap themselves in it, because it's really the only thing that ever worked to connect them to "the people." Well, the people have a right and a responsibility to take it back from the bastards, and demand them to tell all they know about what they did to make 9-11 happen.

[Stephanie]

18. Stop the Stonewalling!

I think that about sums it up.

[Stephanie]

13. Maybe Bob Graham would be a speaker?

Maybe Kristin Breitweiser?

http://www.nydailynews.com/front/story/105046p-94824c.html

Oddly, Sen. Bob Graham of Florida is the only Democratic contender for President who so far has grasped the opportunity at hand. As co-chairman of the 9/11 inquiry, he knows what's in those 28 pages, and he says it has nothing to do with security. On Tuesday, on "Good Morning America," he said Bush is censoring the report "for political reasons, a key political reason being not to disturb the relationship between the United States and some foreign governments."

The White House responded to this charge by announcing that it won't declassify the 28 pages. This puts the President in an impossible position. As long as he stonewalls, he stands accused of covering up for his Saudi friends (despite the fact that the Saudis themselves claim they want the full report made public). If he changes his mind, it will be clear that the initial effort at censorship had nothing to do with national security. Which brings us back to the question: Whom is the President protecting, and why?

[BurtWorm]

15. The ideal speaker would be Lisa Beamer

or someone like her. She's a Democrat, I believe. I remember she wrote a letter praising Torricelli of all people sometime before the election.

[Pastiche423]

22. Lisa Beamer

Is that a joke?

[BurtWorm]

23. Isn't that her name?

Or is it a joke because you know something about her politics I don't? I could swear she was supporting Torricelli in NJ.

[DWright]

25. Maybe Kristin Breitweiser? YES!

Her testimony before the commission is devastating. If not her, I have direct access to Beverly Eckert, another 9/11 widow.

Let's keep this personal. As it should be.

Bush is spitting on all the dead here.

[Stephanie]

32. HI D! I think we could get amazing speakers

If we could determine a venue and an organizer, I think key people will really be ready to speak out.

[robbedvoter]

16. Sept 10 - peaceful Tomorrows - circles of light - around Ground Zero

or in your town - go to their site for details. We had protests last year on the annibersary as well (Union Square, Washington Square and more). The big one next year will start on Aug 29 internationally (unitedforpeace.org). See more info at the nornc.org site. A lot is cooking up.

[Stephanie]

20. This is great, but not what I'm thinking of

Vigils and commemorations are one thing. I'm asking for a political protest against Bush Stonewalling and Exploitation.

I don't see anything at nornc.org - is that the right name? Grateful for any leads you have.

This is from September 11 Families for Peaceful Tomorrows.

Circle of Hope Events

http://www.peacefultomorrows.org/activistcms/calendar.php

Please join us in creating Circles of Hope to commemorate the two-year anniversary of our loved ones deaths on September 11. We plan to encircle the World Trade Center site with a candlelight vigil on the night of September 10, 2003. Gather with us in New York City or create a Circle of Hope candlelight vigil in your own community on September 10 or 11 and link it to other circles by adding your event.

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

19. Hey Graham - speak at the protest!

We know you have the goods on Bush and 911 - help us out here!

[Valerie5555]

24. This is what I at least hope

that NY'ers show up in full force on Sept 11 next year to salute Bush - with their MIDDLE FINGERS and BARE BUTTS that is.


Especially those who survived a certain terrorist incident.

[jackstraw45]

27. Up it goes....n/t

:kick:

[theriverburns]

28. General strike

They hate unions? Shut NYC down.

[Dob Bole]

29. The Protest Should Be in Washington

If it's in NYC, it should be at city hall or something, but not the WTC site. Let's not resort to Republican tactics.

[Stephanie]

31. I think you're right, not at the WTC

DC or NYC? Where will the Chimp be that day? Anyone know his schedule?

[Stephanie]

30. Boy am I in the mood to protest NOW!

Just got power back after 29 HOURS w/o. It's one abuse after another.